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Discover the Top 15 East Coast Destinations for Your Next Adventure

02/07/2024

THE 15 MOST BEAUTIFUL East Coast Destinations

The East Coast of the United States, a coveted destination for global tourism, captivates with its extraordinary blend of natural and cultural beauty. Contrary to what one might think, the East Coast destinations include not only the states along the ocean but also Vermont, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia.

Exploring this section of the country, from the top of Maine to Florida, means encountering mountains, rivers, quaint towns, historical sites, national parks, and vibrant cities. Here is a list of 15 places selected for their beauty, like the fairy-tale village of Siasconset (near Nantucket) and the Bushkill Falls (in Pennsylvania): destinations all worth discovering on a trip to the East Coast.

1) Highlands-Cashiers Plateau (North Carolina)

The Highlands-Cashiers Plateau is an area in western North Carolina, also known as the "Land of Waterfalls," characterized by abundant rainfall and a particularly interesting geological formation. It's part of the Blue Ridge Mountains and 70% is protected as a National Forest, filled with hiking trails, waterfalls, and lakes perfect for fishing. The picturesque charm of this area is enhanced by excellent shops and restaurants; accommodations include luxury options.

2) Acadia National Park (Maine)

Mount Desert Island, a New England gem, is home to Acadia National Park. The park features a unique landscape: it boasts a true fjord and the highest peak on the Atlantic coast, even preserving traces of the Ice Age. Time has shaped U-shaped valleys, lakes, granite rocks, and mountain ridges. Between steep coasts, colorful forests, granite mountains, and charming bays, the park is an East Coast destination not to be missed.

3) Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia and North Carolina)

Stretching over 800 kilometers between Pennsylvania and Georgia, the magnificent Blue Ridge mountain range is best admired by driving through Virginia and North Carolina along the Blue Ridge Parkway. This road offers over 200 scenic overlooks, where visitors can stop to enjoy stunning views, made even more enchanting by the typical blue mist that gives these mountains their name.

4) Bluffton (South Carolina)

Bluffton, a charming village in South Carolina, is just 45 minutes away from Savannah and Beaufort. Considered one of the most delightful East Coast destinations, it sits on the May River and is distinguished by its undeniable old-world charm. Visitors can stroll along the riverfront, stopping to admire historic churches, art galleries, and shop in unique boutiques. Renowned also for fishing and nearby excursions.

EAST COAST DESTINATIONS - PHOTO GALLERY

5) Block Island (Rhode Island)

Block Island, a true gem off the coast of Rhode Island, is celebrated as one of the most beloved destinations on the western coast, with over 27 kilometers of public beaches loved by visitors. Its green hills and the Mohegan Bluffs (spectacular cliffs on the Atlantic) are reminiscent of Ireland. Old Harbor, accessible by ferry from Point Judith, is lively with shops and restaurants, amid historic lighthouses and elegant Victorian hotels that charm with their ancient elegance.

6) Siasconset, Nantucket (Massachusetts)

Just a 40-minute bike ride from downtown Nantucket or a bus ride in bad weather takes you to the village of Siasconset (affectionately called 'Sconset by locals). Little known among foreign visitors, it's undoubtedly one of the most enchanting East Coast destinations. The village is famous for its public path, the Sconset Bluff Walk, which winds between gray-shingled cottages and blooming gardens, with ocean views. Walking on the beach, the luckiest might spot seals.

7) Cumberland Island (Georgia)

Cumberland Island is an earthly paradise hidden in Georgia, inhabited only by horses, birds, and turtles. The island, offering splendid coasts, beaches, and marshes, is accessible only by sea, taking the ferry from St. Mary’s. Besides the ferry cost, there's a ticket for the Cumberland Island National Seashore, priced at 10 USD but absolutely worth it to explore the trails in the forest, historic districts, and beaches of this magical location.

EAST COAST DESTINATIONS: THE MAP

8) Yale University (Connecticut)

Yale University's grounds offer that unique blend of excitement, nostalgia, and wonder so characteristic of New England's university campuses. The old campus is immediately recognizable with its unique layout of lawns, trees, walkways, and imposing Gothic architecture that contributes to an extraordinary and stimulating atmosphere. Among East Coast destinations, Yale University is an irresistible draw for anyone seeking an extraordinary cultural experience.

9) Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, NYC (New York)

Founded in 1910, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, spanning about 21 hectares near the Brooklyn Museum and Prospect Park, features 10 different gardens, including the Rose Garden and Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden. Inside, visitors wander among the tropical, temperate, and desert pavilions, a Bonsai Museum, vast orchid collections, aquatic plants, peonies, magnolias, camellias, and begonias, two ponds with water lilies and lotus trees. The Cherry Esplanade, with its blooming cherry trees, is especially striking in spring.

10) Vermont’s Covered Bridges (Vermont)

Perhaps not everyone knows that Vermont, a quintessential East Coast destination, boasts over 100 covered bridges, dating back to 1820. The bridges, very photogenic, enrich the landscape throughout the area, especially around Bennington, where you can visit a museum dedicated to their construction. Depending on the chosen route, it's possible to admire famous sites like the Pulp Mill Bridge in Middlebury and the Windsor Cornish Covered Bridge, the world’s longest two-span covered bridge.

11) Lake George (New York)

Lake George, located in New York's Adirondack Mountains, is a nature refuge offering adventure and relaxation. The vast lake provides activities for every season, including skiing, ice fishing, swimming, kayaking, amusement parks, and hiking. Thomas Jefferson called it the most beautiful lake in the USA, best appreciated from the summit of Prospect Mountain, an ideal spot for capturing stunning photos of this natural beauty.

12) Biscayne National Park (Florida)

One of the most beautiful natural East Coast destinations is Biscayne National Park, located in southern Florida. Universally considered one of the best places for scuba diving in the USA, it also offers other water sports like kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing. The park, 95% water-covered, is rich in biodiversity; it hosts a mangrove forest, coral reefs, sea turtles, manatees, and over 600 species of fish.

13) Bushkill Falls (Pennsylvania)

Bushkill Falls, located in the picturesque Pocono Mountains region of Pennsylvania, is known as the "Niagara of Pennsylvania." This natural wonder is famous for its 8 spectacular waterfalls, nestled in a lush forest. Reaching the falls requires a pleasant walk through well-maintained trails, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the natural beauty. An ideal destination for those seeking the tranquility of nature and the thrill of viewing breathtaking scenery.

14) Middleburg (Virginia)

Exploring the stunning destinations of the East Coast, not everyone stops by Middleburg, and that's a shame. This Virginia town is pleasantly situated among rolling countryside (filled with farms and grazing horses) and characteristic stone walls. The historic center of Middleburg, marked by enchanting colonial architecture, is full of antique shops, art galleries, and equestrian stores. For lodging, the Red Fox Inn & Tavern, an inn and pub with 18 rooms founded in 1728, is recommended.

15) National Mall (Washington, D.C.)

The National Mall, in the heart of Washington, D.C., is an American icon. This vast urban park stretches from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol, framed by significant monuments like the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial. Not to miss are the National Museum of American History and the National Air and Space Museum. The National Mall is a crossroads of history, culture, and architectural grandeur; its tree-lined avenues, well-kept lawns, and ponds provide a serene environment for visitors exploring the pulsating heart of the nation.